The pain of death’s farewells grows dim.
The pain of life’s farewells stay new.
Since you were exiled to Jiangnan
– Plague land – I’ve had no news of you.

Proving how much you’re in my thoughts,
Old friend, you’ve come into my dreams.
I thought you were still in the law’s
Tight net – but you’ve grown wings, it seems.

I fear yours is no living soul.
How could it make this distant flight?
You came: the maple woods were green.
You left: the pass was black with night.

The sinking moonlight floods my room.
Still hoping for your face, I stare.
The water’s deep, the waves are wide.
Watch out for water dragons there.

(Translated by Vikram Seth)